License Tiers

Overview

Inkstream uses server-validated licensing. The client-side key format check is for UX only and never grants feature access.


User enters key
     ↓
useLicenseValidation() → POST /api/validate-license
     ↓
Server returns { isValid: true, tier: 'pro' }
     ↓
validatedTier flows into RichTextEditor + useLazyPlugins
     ↓
Pro plugins are loaded and activated

License key format


INKSTREAM-{FREE|PRO|PREMIUM}-[A-Z0-9]+

Examples:
  INKSTREAM-FREE-DEMO1234
  INKSTREAM-PRO-ABC123XYZ
  INKSTREAM-PREMIUM-ENTERPRISE01

Validation endpoint

Implement a Next.js API route (or equivalent):

app/api/validate-license/route.ts


import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server'
 
export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
  const { licenseKey } = await request.json()
 
  // Replace with your database/licensing service lookup
  const record = await db.licenses.findOne({ key: licenseKey, active: true })
 
  if (!record) {
    return NextResponse.json({ isValid: false, tier: 'free' })
  }
 
  return NextResponse.json({ isValid: true, tier: record.tier })
}

Using validation in the editor


import { useLicenseValidation } from '@inkstream/react-editor'
 
function MyEditor() {
  const { validatedTier, isValidating } = useLicenseValidation({
    licenseKey: userEnteredKey,
    validationEndpoint: '/api/validate-license',
  })
 
  return (
    <RichTextEditor
      plugins={freePlugins}
      licenseValidationEndpoint="/api/validate-license"
      licenseKey={userEnteredKey}
    />
  )
}

Without a licenseValidationEndpoint, the tier is permanently 'free'. This is intentional — secure by default.

`LicenseManager` helpers


import { LicenseManager } from '@inkstream/editor-core'
 
// Format check only (no security value)
LicenseManager.isValidKeyFormat('INKSTREAM-PRO-ABC123') // true
 
// Pure tier comparison
LicenseManager.canTierAccess('pro', 'pro')      // true
LicenseManager.canTierAccess('free', 'pro')     // false
LicenseManager.canTierAccess('premium', 'pro')  // true